Qualifications and Experience

You need to be over 18 (unless you are travelling with your family). The boys and girld at the Hogar can be difficult and quite a handful and some life experience of your own is essential.

Basic Spanish is very useful and you will enjoy your time and whole experience more if you can communicate well with everyone.

Many of the kids are keen to learn English and you are likely to be asked to do English lessons. Be prepared to teach and share any additional skills you have that you are happy to share. A CV and a letter explaining why you are interested in volunteering will help us prepare for your arrival and make the most of your exchange. If you are an artist, a writer or a great handy man, we want to know and help pass on your skills to the children!

You need to take intiatives. Once you arrive at the home you are sometimes left to your own devices. You need to see that a job needs doing and get on with it. There are only two permanent staff on duty at any one time, so they are too busy to direct you at times.

Karen comes to the home for several hours each day but again, she has an agenda and is very, very busy.

You need to be fit. Guatemala is in a volcanic region of Central America and is therefore full of steep hills. In the city the smog can also be a problem so it is essential that you are in good health.